Internal controls for a hybrid work environment

As a public institution, WSU has a responsibility to maintain strong internal controls to prevent and detect fraud and safeguard university resources. The transition to Workday with electronic business processes and approvals has allowed the university to adapt to the hybrid work environment. Transactions can now be seamlessly initiated, reviewed, and approved whether an employee is working on campus or remotely. Even with these capabilities, internal controls must still be considered and continuously evaluated.

A few reminders:

  • Segregation of Duties (SoD) – custody, record keeping, reconciliation, and authorization for functions such as receipting, disbursements, procurement and payroll should be segregated as much as possible.
  • Workday Security Roles – assignment of security roles within your area should allow for adequate SoD. Periodically review key Workday roles to ensure they are adequate, and none are left unassigned due to employee turnover.
  • Business Asset security – university assets, especially small and attractive assets such as laptops, should be tagged and assigned. All employees, regardless of work location, are responsible to account for all equipment assigned to them.
  • Data and Records – university data and records are university property and must be safeguarded and maintained in accordance with university Executive Policy #8.

For internal control help, contact Office of Internal Audit @ ia.central@wsu.edu or 509‑335‑5336.

The Notices and Announcements section is provided as a service to the WSU community for sharing events such as lectures, trainings, and other highly transactional types of information related to the university experience. Information provided and opinions expressed may not reflect the understanding or opinion of WSU. Accuracy of the information presented is the responsibility of those who submitted it. The self-uploaded posts are reviewed for compliance with state statutes and ethics guidelines but are not edited for spelling, grammar, or clarity.

Next Story

Recent News

AI and robotics—A matter of trust

WSU researchers are using AI to help robots safely adapt to unpredictable people and real-world environments, from factory floors to apple orchards.

Share your memories of Heald Hall

The WSU community has an opportunity to help preserve the building’s story from more than a half century of service. 

WSU celebrating Week of Welcome events system-wide

Events celebrating the arrival of new Cougs as well as the return of thousands of students, faculty and staff are officially underway across the WSU system.

Looking ahead to the fall semester at WSU

In a message and video to the WSU community, President Betsy Cantwell encourages students, faculty, and staff to make the most of the opportunities ahead.